How to train court navigator staff, part 1
Join us for a year of learning and fun at Court Navigator School — a series of one-hour virtual webinar sessions that provide information, ideas, and tangible suggestions to help you start a navigator program or enhance your existing program.
Our second session, "How to train court navigator staff, part 1," will look at how court navigator programs effectively train new staff and keep experienced team members current on the law, court procedures, and community referrals. This session will showcase proven training models and real-world examples of professional development in action in a court navigator setting.
Through a dynamic lecture format, students will learn how to teach staff about how courts operate, distinguish legal information from legal advice, and make effective referrals. This session will also cover safe harbor rules — what they are and why they are helpful. We'll discuss ways to keep staff motivated and engaged through ongoing training and professional growth. We'll explore how to provide effective customer service, and tips for assisting vulnerable populations. By the end of the session, students will understand how to cultivate a knowledgeable, resilient, and well-supported court navigator workforce.
Following the webinar, participants can further explore the topic during the "study hall" session, "How to train court navigator staff, part 2" on Friday, Jan. 9 from 1-2 p.m. ET.
Faculty:
- Jill Roberts, deputy director, Access to Justice division, Illinois Courts
For more information, contact Lonni Summers.
Future Court Navigator School sessions:
- Session 3: Using technology & remote services navigator programs
- Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
- Faculty: Sheriece M. Perry, director, Court Services and Law Libraries Department, Massachusetts Trial Courts Office of Court Management
- Session 4: How to establish (and maintain) program funding
- Friday, April 10, 2026
- Faculty: Stacey Weiler, director of grants & access to justice, Illinois Bar Foundation; and Robby Southers, Ohio Access to Justice Foundation
- Session 5: Collecting & using court navigator program data
- Friday, June 5, 2026
Study hall dates:
- Jan. 9, 2026
- March 6, 2026
- May 1, 2026
- June 26, 2026
Explore more
How to train court navigator staff, part 2
During this study hall session, you will have an opportunity to apply what you learned during our our Dec. 5 Court Navigator School session, "How to train court navigators, part 1."
What do court navigator programs do: An overview & partnerships, part 1
Learn what makes a court navigator program successful by understanding the purpose and scope of court navigator programs and wide range of services provided. Faculty will discuss how navigator programs build and maintain strong partnerships with a variety of entities, including access to justice commissions, universities, civil legal aid providers, clerk's offices, courts, and other key stakeholders.
What do court navigator programs do: An overview of programs & partnerships, part 2
Gain structured, online technical assistance following our Oct. 3 Court Navigator School session that provided an overview of navigator programs and partnerships.